Sectional sofa including convertible unit

ABSTRACT

A sectional sofa and a convertible unit is disclosed. The sectional sofa includes a stationary portion and a moving portion. The moving portion is adjacent to the stationary portion and the moving portion is capable of moving relative to the stationary portion. The moving portion and the stationary portion are also connected to one another by a common base. The sofa also includes provisions for joining the moving portion with the stationary portion and for facilitating and accommodating the motion of the moving portion.

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of furnitureand, more particularly, to seating systems.

[0003] 2. Background of the Invention

[0004] There are various forms of seating systems. Some classificationsare made by function or the intended use of the seating system. Thesecategories include dining chairs, office chairs, side chairs, bar stoolsand recliners. Other categories are formed by the overall structure andconstruction of the seating system. These categories include hardseating and soft seating. Hard seating systems generally do not includecushions or upholstery while soft seating systems include cushions andupholstery.

[0005] Sectional sofas have been popular for some time. Becausesectional sofas are generally comprised of several pieces, they offerflexibility both in terms of placement or arrangement and in terms ofquantity. Sectional sofas offer a flexibility of placement andarrangement because the various pieces can be separated from one anotherand moved individually. This permits the owner to arrange the variouspieces in a manner best suited for the room or the situation. Theirmodular nature also permits rearrangement to suit different needs andsituations. For example, the various pieces can be scattered or placedagainst a wall of a room to create a large open space, or the variouspieces can be arranged close to one another to create a smaller moreintimate space. Sectional sofas also offer flexibility in terms ofquantity because users can purchase only those units they need for aparticular room or situation. Generally, vendors do not require users topurchase every single unit or a pre-designated quantity or product mixof sectional sofa units.

[0006] With all of their advantages, sectional sofas are generally largeand are usually the dominant furniture in a room. Because of their sizeand scale, rooms that have sectional sofas generally do not have otheritems of soft furniture, although they sometimes include a coffee tableand perhaps a few side chairs. It is often difficult to add additionalitems of furniture due to space limitations. One example of an item offurniture that is sometimes omitted due to space considerations is achaise. While comfortable and attractive, chaises, with their longforms, generally take up considerable space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is directed to a sectional sofa thatincludes a stationary portion and a moving portion. The moving portionis adjacent to the stationary portion and the moving portion is capableof moving relative to the stationary portion. The moving portion and thestationary portion are also connected to one another by a common base.

[0008] In an aspect of the invention, the base includes a movingsub-frame that is capable of rotating with respect to the base.

[0009] In another aspect of the invention, the moving portion isassociated with the moving sub-frame.

[0010] In another aspect of the invention, the moving portion and thestationary portion include backrests.

[0011] In another aspect of the invention, the backrest of the movingportion and the backrest of the stationary portion are matching.

[0012] In another aspect of the invention, the moving portion includes afirst position wherein the backrest of the moving portion and thebackrest of the stationary portion abut one another.

[0013] In another aspect of the invention, the moving portion includes asecond position wherein the backrest of the moving portion and thebackrest of the stationary portion are separated from one another.

[0014] In another aspect, the invention includes a sectional sofa thatcomprises a convertible unit including a stationary portion and a movingportion, the stationary portion having a stationary backrest with afirst profile and the moving portion having a moving backrest with asecond profile. The stationary portion and the moving portion are bothmounted to a common base. In this aspect, the first profile of thestationary backrest and the second profile of the moving backrest match.The moving portion moves relative to the stationary portion.

[0015] In another aspect of the invention, the motion of the movingportion is substantially rotational.

[0016] In another aspect of the invention, the rotational motion of themoving portion is limited, and a stop prevents the moving portion fromrotating 360°.

[0017] In another aspect of the invention, a rotary bearing associatesthe moving portion with the base.

[0018] In another aspect of the invention, the rotary bearing includesprotrusions that limit the rotation of a portion of the rotary bearing.

[0019] In another aspect, the invention includes a convertible unit thatcomprises a base supporting stationary portion and a moving portion, thestationary portion having a backrest and seating surface, the movingportion having a backrest and a seating surface. The moving portionmoves relative to the stationary portion, the moving portion has a firstposition where the backrest of the moving portion is adjacent anddefines a generally continuous backrest with the backrest of thestationary portion, and where the moving portion has a second positionwhere the backrest of the moving portion is separated from the backrestof the stationary portion.

[0020] In another aspect, the invention includes a convertible unit thatcomprises a base associated with at least one leg, the base having afirst side supporting a stationary portion and a second side supportinga moving portion, the second side of the base including a movingsub-frame that is capable of rotating with respect to the base.

[0021] In another aspect of the invention, the stationary portion andthe moving portion include respective seating surfaces.

[0022] In another aspect of the invention, the seating surface of themoving portion includes a substantially circular outer periphery, suchthat the seating surface of the stationary portion includes a concaveportion matching the outer periphery of the seating surface of themoving portion.

[0023] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be setforth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparentfrom the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.The objectives and advantages of the invention will be realized andattained by the structure and steps particularly pointed out in thewritten description, the claims and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of asectional sofa in accordance with the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of asectional sofa in a second position in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0026]FIG. 3 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of a convertibleunit in accordance with the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 4 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of a convertibleunit in a second position in accordance with the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of a preferred embodiment ofa convertible unit in accordance with the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of one side of a preferred embodimentof a rotary bearing in accordance with the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the other side of a preferredembodiment of a rotary bearing in accordance with the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 8 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a sectionalsofa in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032]FIG. 1 is a preferred embodiment of a sectional sofa 100 inaccordance with the present invention. Sectional sofa 100 includesseveral separate pieces including an end unit 102, a comer unit 104 anda convertible unit 106.

[0033] End unit 102, includes a first module 202. First module 202includes a seating surface 204 and a backrest 206. First module 202 canalso include an armrest 208. Preferably, seating surface 204 comprises acushion 210. End unit 102 also includes a second module 220. Secondmodule 220 also includes a seating surface 224 and a backrest 226.Preferably, seating surface 224 of second module 220 comprises a cushion230.

[0034] In some embodiments, end unit 102 includes a sofa bed and inother embodiments, end unit 102 can include one or more recliners. Ifend unit 102 includes a sofa bed, both first module 202 and secondmodule 220 participate in forming the sofa bed. In the case of one ormore recliners, first module 202 operates independently of second module220 so that one or both of the modules can operate as a reclinerregardless of the configuration of the other.

[0035] Similar to end unit 102, comer unit 104 includes a seatingsurface 304 and backrest 306.

[0036] Convertible unit 106 includes a stationary portion 402 and amoving portion 404. Stationary portion 402 of convertible unit 106includes a seating surface 406 and a backrest 408. Moving portion 404includes a seating surface 410 and a backrest 412.

[0037] Preferably, all of the different units include common styling andstylistic elements. For example, the backrests of the different unitshave similar contours or profiles and the seating surfaces are similar.Additional stylistic elements that the various units might share includefabric material and color, arm rest designs, cushion density and size.Generally, while the various units are structurally different, it ispreferred that they nonetheless have a family resemblance with oneanother.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, convertible member 106 includes astationary portion 402 and a moving portion 404. A first position ofmoving portion 404 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 and a second position ofmoving portion 404 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. In the first position,shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the backrest 412 of the moving portion 404 abuts450 (see FIG. 3) or is adjacent to the backrest 408 of the stationaryportion 408. In some cases, the respective backrests 412 and 408 maytouch and in other cases, they may be slightly spaced. However, in thefirst position of moving portion 404 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, thebackrest 412 of moving portion 404 and the backrest 408 of stationaryportion 408 form a generally continuous backrest. It should also benoted that, in the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the backrest412 of the moving portion 404 and the backrest 408 of the stationaryportion 402 include similar shapes and/or profiles. This also helps tocreate a generally continuous backrest that spans across the movingportion 404 and the stationary portion 402.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, moving portion 404 rotates about an axis andpermits moving portion 404 to swivel and move to a second position. Inthe rotated configuration shown in FIG. 2, moving portion 404 hasswiveled so that the backrest 412 of the moving portion 404 is separatedfrom the backrest 408 of the stationary portion 402 and a gap 452 (seeFIG. 4) is created between moving portion backrest 412 and stationaryportion backrest 408. In this second position, backrest 412 of themoving portion 404 generally faces seating surface 406 of the stationaryportion 402. In this configuration, convertible member 106 can be usedas a chaise where a user can sit on moving portion 404 and put his orher feet and/or legs up on seating surface 406 of stationary portion402.

[0040] While seating surface 410 of moving portion 404 can assume anydesired shape, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, seating surface410 of moving portion 404 preferably includes an outer periphery 415that is generally circular. This shape avoids interference with theadjacent seating surface 406 of stationary portion 402. Additionally, toaccommodate the rotation of moving portion 404, stationary portion 402includes a concave portion 420. Concave portion 420 is designed tocorrespond to the generally circular shape of moving portion 404. In apreferred embodiment, concave portion 420 has the corresponding,complementary shape, namely a concave circular shape, as the generallycircular seating surface 410 of moving member 404.

[0041]FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of convertible member 106.Preferably, convertible member 106 comprises an upper portion 502, abase 504 and a leg assembly 506. Upper portion 502 includes a stationaryupper portion 510 that is the upper portion of stationary portion 402(see FIGS. 1 and 2) and a moving upper portion 512 that is the upperportion of moving portion 404 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Base 504 includes afirst side 520 and a second side 522.

[0042] Preferably, stationary upper portion 510 is separate from movingupper portion 512. Both the stationary upper portion 510 and movingupper portion 512 are connected to base 504. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 5, stationary upper portion 510 is connected to a first side 520 ofbase 504 and moving upper portion is connected to a second side 522 ofbase 504.

[0043] Second side 522 includes provisions that permit base 504 toaccept a moving sub-frame. Second side 522 includes at least one, andpreferably two cross members, a first cross member 524 and a secondcross member 526. These two cross members, 524 and 526, are used toretain a moving sub-frame 528. Many different configurations can be usedto associate moving sub-frame 528 with cross members 524 and 526.However, a rotary bearing 530 is preferred. Rotary bearing 530 permitsmoving sub-frame 528 to rotate or swivel in relation to base 504.

[0044] Leg assembly 506 can be any suitable assembly that associates orconnects one or more legs 535 with base 504. The precise construction,design, materials or arrangement of legs 535 can be selected to suitstructural and/or aesthetic needs. In some cases, a frame 537 is used toassist in associating legs 535 with base 504.

[0045] The terms “associated” and “connected” in the context of therelationship between the stationary member and a leg means anyconnection where the stationary member is rigidly associated with a leg,semi-rigidly associated with a leg, or flexibly associated with a leg.

[0046] Base 504 is preferably constructed of a pair of angle irons 540and 542 that span a substantial portion of the length of convertibleunit 106. Cross members 524 and 526 are preferably constructed of metalsquare channels. Suitable mechanical fasteners or welds are preferablyused to rigidly associate the various items that comprise base 504.Clearly, any construction or arrangement of any type of material can beused to form base 504. For example, wood, plastic, metal, compositematerials, engineered wood products like laminated beams, or any othersuitable material can be used to form base 504 or leg assembly 506.

[0047]FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of rotary bearing 530. FIG. 6 showsthe side of bearing 530 that faces leg assembly 506 (see FIG. 5). Thus,in the foreground of FIG. 6, the fixed portion 602 of bearing 530 isshown and in the background, the rotating portion 604 of bearing 530 isshown. Fixed portion 602 of bearing 530 is attached to base 540 by crossmembers 524 and 526. Rotating portion 604 is attached to movingsub-frame 528 (see FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 6, fixed portion 602includes a race 606 that forms a cavity between fixed portion 602 androtating portion 604. Within race 606, a suitable arrangement and numberof ball bearings (not shown) is disposed to permit smooth relativerotation between fixed portion 602 and rotating portion 604. Fixedportion 602 also optionally includes at least one, and preferably twobolts 608 that protrude towards rotating portion 604.

[0048]FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of rotary bearing 530 as seen fromupper portion 502 (see FIG. 5). FIG. 7 shows the portion of rotarybearing 530 facing upper portion 502. In FIG. 7, rotating portion 604 isin the foreground. Rotating portion 604 is attached to moving sub-frame528. Rotating portion 604 includes at least one, and preferably twoprotrusions, a first protrusion 702 and a second protrusion 704. Firstand second protrusions 702 and 704 are designed to limit the rotation ofmoving sub-frame 528.

[0049] As moving sub-frame 528 is rotated, rotating portion 604 is alsorotated. As rotating portion 604 is rotated, one of the protrusions 702or 704 eventually engages one of the bolts 608 (see FIG. 6). Thisengagement between the bolts 608 and protrusion 702 or 704, depending onthe direction of rotation, prohibits further rotation of movingsub-frame 528.

[0050] In this way, the rotation of moving sub-frame 528 and movingportion 404 (see FIG. 1) is limited. This rotation limiting feature isoptional, and in some embodiments, this feature is omitted, permittingmoving portion 404 (see FIG. 1) to rotate completely without limit.

[0051] Although the convertible unit 106 (see FIG. 1) is shown as a leftarm facing section, other configurations of the convertible unit arealso possible. For example, FIG. 8 shows a convertible unit 802 as aright arm facing section.

[0052] The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations andmodifications of the embodiments described herein will be obvious to oneof ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scopeof the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto,and by their equivalents.

[0053] Further, in describing representative embodiments of the presentinvention, the specification may have presented the method and/orprocess of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps.However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on theparticular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process shouldnot be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one ofordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps maybe possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth inthe specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims.In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of thepresent invention should not be limited to the performance of theirsteps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readilyappreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within thespirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sectional sofa comprising: a stationary portionincluding a first upholstered cushion adapted to support an occupant; amoving portion including a second upholstered cushion adapted to supportan occupant, the moving portion being adjacent to the stationaryportion; the moving portion capable of moving relative to the stationaryportion; the moving portion and the stationary portion connected to oneanother by a base.
 2. The sectional sofa according to claim 1, whereinthe base includes a moving sub-frame capable of rotating with respect tothe base.
 3. The sectional sofa according to claim 2, wherein the movingportion is associated with the moving sub-frame.
 4. The sectional sofaaccording to claim 1, wherein the moving portion and the stationaryportion include backrests.
 5. The sectional sofa according to claim 4,wherein the backrest of the moving portion and the backrest of thestationary portion are matching.
 6. The sectional sofa according toclaim 4, wherein the moving portion includes a first position whereinthe backrest of the moving portion and the backrest of the stationaryportion abut one another.
 7. The sectional sofa according to claim 6,wherein the moving portion includes a second position wherein thebackrest of the moving portion and the backrest of the stationaryportion are separated from one another.
 8. A sectional sofa comprising aconvertible unit including a stationary portion and a moving portion;the stationary portion having a stationary backrest with a firstprofile; the moving portion having a moving backrest with a secondprofile; the stationary portion and the moving portion both beingmounted to a common base; wherein the first profile of the stationarybackrest and the second profile of the moving backrest match; andwherein the moving portion moves relative to the stationary portion. 9.The sectional sofa according to claim 8, wherein the base includes amoving sub-frame capable of rotating with respect to the base.
 10. Thesectional sofa according to claim 9, wherein the moving portion isconnected to a moving sub-frame.
 11. The sectional sofa according toclaim 8, wherein the motion of the moving portion is substantiallyrotational.
 12. The sectional sofa according to claim 11, wherein therotational motion of the moving portion is limited and a stop preventsthe moving portion from rotating 360°.
 13. The sectional sofa accordingto claim 8, wherein a rotary bearing associates the moving portion withthe base.
 14. The sectional sofa according to claim 13, wherein therotary bearing includes protrusions that limit the rotation of a portionof the rotary bearing.
 15. A convertible unit comprising a basesupporting a stationary portion and a moving portion, the stationaryportion having a backrest and seating surface, the moving portion havinga backrest and a seating surface; wherein the moving portion movesrelative to the stationary portion, and wherein the moving portion has afirst position where the backrest of the moving portion is adjacent anddefines a generally continuous backrest with the backrest of thestationary portion and wherein the moving portion has a second positionsuch that the backrest of the moving portion is separated from thebackrest of the stationary portion.
 16. The convertible unit accordingto claim 15, wherein the base includes a moving sub-frame capable ofrotating with respect to the base.
 17. The convertible unit according toclaim 16, wherein the moving portion is connected to a rotatingsub-frame.
 18. A convertible unit comprising: a base associated with atleast one leg; a first side of the base supporting a stationary portionand a second side of the base supporting a moving portion, the secondside of the base including a moving sub-frame capable of rotating withrespect to the base.
 19. The convertible unit according to claim 18,wherein the motion of the moving portion is substantially rotational.20. The convertible unit according to claim 19, wherein the rotationalmotion of the moving portion is limited and a stop prevents the movingportion from rotating 360°.
 21. The convertible unit according to claim18, wherein a rotary bearing associates the moving portion with thebase.
 22. The convertible unit according to claim 21, wherein the rotarybearing includes protrusions that limit the rotation of a portion of therotary bearing.
 23. The convertible unit according to claim 18, whereinthe stationary portion and the moving portion include respective seatingsurfaces.
 24. The convertible unit according to claim 23, wherein theseating surface of the moving portion includes a substantially circularouter periphery and wherein the seating surface of the stationaryportion includes a concave portion matching the outer periphery of theseating surface of the moving portion.